How will the Carolina Panthers get on during their remaining five fixtures of the 2021 season once they return from their bye week?
Playoff hopes might be dwindling for the Carolina Panthers, but there is still a lot on the line for players and coaches following their bye week. This period of reflection is a good chance to rest up and finally make some adjustments to the scheme, with quarterback Cam Newton also getting additional time to pick up more of the playbook following his sensational return.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Panthers pick themselves up after two disastrous losses to the Washington Football Team and Miami Dolphins. What comes next could go a long way to determining the futures of those currently employed by the franchise.
With this in mind, we took a look at how things might go with full game-by-game predictions following the bye.
Week 14
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
This is arguably a good game for the Panthers to have after the bye. An NFC South divisional matchup with the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium represents a solid opportunity for the team to get themselves back in the win column given their recent form.
Of course, this won’t be helped by the absences of Christian McCaffrey and Donte Jackson, two experienced and important members of the roster who were placed on season-ending injured/reserve this week. However, they managed to secure an impressive success in Atlanta and a clean sweep of their rivals would be a solid foundation from which to build.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers win
If the Panthers cannot win this game after their bye week, then there is no hope for the remainder of the campaign. The stakes are incredibly high and if no improvements have been made to Carolina’s scheme during their prolonged period of rest, then it’ll only cast further doubt on Matt Rhule and his staff’s ability to take this team where they want to go.
The Falcons won’t be a gimme by any stretch. But the Panthers should have enough talent to get the job done on home soil.